Sunday, January 06, 2008 Gold, frankincense & myrrh By Jinggoy Salvador
THE longest holiday in the Philippine calendar ends today, officially.
Today is the "Feast of the Epiphany" aka "The Twelfth Day of Christmas" aka "The Adoration of the Magi" aka "The Manifestation of God" or most popularly known as "The Day of the Three Kings."
In the present day setting, the more popular Three Kings would be George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube in a gold heist ala Kelly's Heroes during the end of the Gulf War when the camels where tanks. Although the end did justify the means for these modern day heroes, this was too barbaric for the original heroes during the scene of the nativity.
Astronomers (maybe), founders of the bright star that lead them to Bethlehem, Melchor, (meaning "king of light"), Gaspar ("the white one"), and Balthazar ("the lord of treasure") bore gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They take center stage today and remind us of the essence of gift-giving. Thus, in some cultures, this is more celebrated in offering presents than Christmas day itself.
"In the fourth century, December 25 was finally adopted by the Western Christian Church as the date of the Feast of Christ's birth. It is believed that this change in date gave rise to the tradition of the "12 Days of Christmas." While the Western Christian Church celebrates December 25th, the Eastern Christian Church to this day recognizes January 6 as the celebration of the nativity. January 6 was also kept as the physical birthday in Bethlehem.
In the Teutonic west, Epiphany became the Festival of the Three Kings (i.e. the Magi), or simply Twelfth Day.
So, if you take the gift-giving seriously and not miss the traditional gift-giving on Christmas Day, be prepared to come bearing gifts on the first Sunday of the next year, the 12th day of Christmas.
How about wishing the best for your fellow men? That may work as well but make sure it is said in your most sincere manner, mean it! But before that ever happens, the saying: 'to love others, you have to love yourself first' applies. Let's start with the annual New Year's resolution. No matter how many times you have faltered in fulfilling whatever it is you promised to yourself, it will never be too late to do it this year or next.
So what is it I would like to gift myself this year? How about the willpower to not to stray from the list I made? And then maybe the rest of the puzzle will fall into place. Certain sacrifices will have to be made. Just be one of the magi and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I may have given up smoking but work and fondness to party never really got me away from the nicotine exposure -- the second hand variety that is. I promise to stay in the non-smoking area of the clubs. Good luck! The interesting party set glamorize themselves with a cigarette on hand. Should I take my photos through the looking glass between us?
The holidays is for binging and boy did I. I now tote a 'salva vida' around the belly. I should take the pooor man's surgery and hit the gym anew -- way lot cheaper than undergoing a bypass surgery. Plus give up that cerveza drinking -- and stick to the ol' reliable vodka.
Sleep early.
Rise Early and see more days as it dawns.
Or simply wait for it then head to bed. Does that count as 'early to bed'?
And speaking of bed, I promise to be more creative in utilizing it more than just a furniture to sleep in -- and stay away from the damn surgery. Reasearch says you burn calories as well.
Travel is never lost in the 'must-do' list. Like what the Dalai Lama has said, see a new place every year.
And I intend to -- I have to go beyond and take the extra mile across another nation. I have seen the Guggenheim in Bilbao, I want to see the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, and walk the streets of Istanbul, frolic on the South of France and maybe swim in the Caribbean.
I said I was building my Japanese house this year and I intend to. Arigato.
Meditate and rid myself of the worries that plague my mind. Yoga is a good channel but I have to do it alone. I tend to get competitive in achieving poses which is a big no-no in this discipline.
Smile more and laugh more heartily. I did so before but it got lost along the way to maturity -- or maybe I regressed and became immature. I have to unlock this heart and start caring again. That will take a lot of will power -- but I guess I have to -- share the love!
This jumpstarts the list and I can work on the others along the way. I'll run through the checklist monthly and inform you on the developments. I may need your constant nagging on this to make sure I stay on track.
I guess I do need the light as well and those three buddies who made sure the Baby gets what He deserves.
But looking beyond the importance of these characters, they may be kings, but in this story they are merely supporting actors. They follow the true Star, the King of Kings. Only His name is important. Epiphany is not about the Magi -- it's all about Jesus. Deal or no deal?
Happy New Year everyone and work on those dreams and turn them into reality.
